Energy Absorption of Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP)-Woven Composites in Different Nano Clay Loading Using Numerical Method

Abstract

Abstract In this work, the numerical investigation for impact behavior of GFRP (Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics) composite along modified with nano-clay (Cloisite® 20B) at 0.5%wt., 1%wt., and 2%wt concentrations was done. The finite element analysis was carried out in ABAQUS/Explicit to investigate the low-velocity impact response. The numerical results showed that adding 0.5% wt. and 1%wt. nano-clay significantly increased the stiffness of GFRP compared to a pristine one. In contrast, adding 2%wt nano-clay decreased the stiffness of GFRP. With regard of energy absorption, a 0.5%wt. nano-clay modified GFRP showed a maximum energy absorption, whereas, a 2 %wt. nano-clay modified GFRP exhibited the lowest performance for all impact energy levels.